This month, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is holding a series of public meetings to hear from individuals, communities, advocates, and other stakeholders on Xcel Energy’s plans for Minnesota’s energy future.
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Photo: James Gignac
Weighing in on Xcel Energy’s Plans for Minnesota’s Energy Future
James Gignac, lead Midwest energy analyst
October 4, 2019 9:16 AM EDT
Clean Energy Tax Policy is Congress’s Last Chance to do Anything Meaningful on Climate This Year
Sam Gomberg, senior energy analyst
October 3, 2019 8:48 AM EDT
As calls for action on climate change become even louder across the globe (including here in the U.S.) and the impacts of climate change increasingly threaten our way of life, Congress still has a chance to do something right now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and drive investments in clean energy technologies: extending and expanding tax credits for renewable energy and battery storage. And a new report by Rhodium Group puts some numbers behind this – showing that continued federal tax policy support for clean energy technologies accelerates clean energy deployment and leads to meaningful reductions in carbon emissions. Read more >
Hurricane Irma restoration in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on Sept. 11, 2017. Credit: Florida Power & Light.
Utility Restoration Workers a Large Factor in Speed—and Cost—of Hurricane Response
Julie McNamara, Senior Energy analyst
September 24, 2019 3:02 PM EDT
In the face of severe storms, utilities are investing billions of dollars in grid hardening to boost electricity resilience. But in the aftermath of such storms, vast numbers of restoration workers have also proven key to bringing power back fast. And those workers can add up to significant, and potentially repeating, costs. Read more >
ExxonMobil, BP, Shell Oppose Methane Regulation Rollback, Here’s What Else They Should Do
Nicole Pinko, Corporate Analyst and Engagement Specialist
September 24, 2019 12:18 PM EDT
The industry has claimed that the rollback won’t affect emissions due to voluntary measures being taken by oil and natural gas companies, but that’s not accurate. Even EPA Administrator Wheeler has admitted that relaxing regulations will increase methane emissions, but that it’s worth it to save the industry a mere $17-19 million per year. By comparison, ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods was paid $17.5 million in 2018. While the Administration *may* claim that there is no clear study or endangerment finding on methane to underpin federal regulation, that’s simply counter to science, common sense, and public interest. Read more >
A Chevrolet Volt is Parked at One of Ten New Solar-Powered Charging Stations
Steve Fecht/General Motors
Threatened by EVs, Oil Companies Employ Disinformation Tactics in Massachusetts
Samantha Houston, Clean Vehicles Analyst
September 23, 2019 11:06 AM EDT
The oil industry is responding to the important role utilities have in accelerating electric vehicle (EV) adoption through undertaking a broad campaign to fight against utility programs that invest in EV charging infrastructure. Mischaracterizing quotes from witnesses and other state regulators is only part of the disinformation strategy the American Petroleum Institute (API) has engaged in. Read more >
